All property owners, businesses, and municipalities in Virginia can face liability if they fail to keep their properties in a safe condition or to place warning signs up to warn visitors of hazards. The duty of care pertains to both the inside and outside of their properties, including the sidewalks. If they breach their duties, you or your family could suffer serious injuries in a slip and fall accident.
Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents on Sidewalks in Norfolk
Slip and fall dangers on sidewalks can be especially dangerous because the person falling has no advance notice of the defective condition. Common ways that sidewalks can cause slips and falls include:
- Sidewalk cracks. When the asphalt in sidewalks is cracked or broken, it can create a hazardous condition. Tree roots pushing up, wear and tear from sidewalk use, and deterioration due to weather are some of the reasons that sidewalks crack and need regular maintenance and replacement. Due to the high cost of repairs, owners, businesses, and government may put off making these needed repairs until someone suffers a serious injury due to their negligence.
- Water, snow, and ice. Large accumulations of water, snow, and ice can make a sidewalk extremely treacherous. A person can fall hard on the slippery concrete and suffer long-term injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries, spinal and back injuries, and broken bones.
- Debris. Given the fast pace of life, many people chose to eat and drink while they walk to their next destination. When spills are not promptly cleaned up or vendors leave debris and trash from shipments on the sidewalk, this can create slip and fall dangers.
- Inadequate lighting. When there is no lighting or the lighting is inadequate, visitors cannot see dangerous conditions on sidewalks and may injure themselves in an otherwise preventable slip and fall.
Retain an Attorney Quickly in a Sidewalk Slip and Fall Accident
If you suffered injuries in a fall on a sidewalk, it is essential to retain an experienced slip and fall accident attorney as soon as possible to protect your right to compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. It may be complicated to determine who was responsible for maintenance of the sidewalk. In addition, you may have a much shorter time to file your claim and may need to follow special rules if the sidewalk was owned by a municipality or other government agency. To learn how our skilled and trusted lawyers can assist you, fill out our convenient online form today to schedule a free consultation.
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